Saturday 5 October 2019

Family Gathering


A family visit means a family get together, and food.

It's always a dilemna.  What to cook, how to cook it.  Not so much how to satisfy all the guests but how to present greek food at its best.  The guests are always satisfied one way or another.  Just looking at the table full of food is enough for many. 

We had already discussed rabbit (stewed in wine) and okra on our Poros/Perth viber group before they arrived so those were the first on the list.  

K had  2 big fish in the freezer especially for this occasion.  It was too windy to  light the outside BBQ or the wood oven, dangerous in the drought, so he cooked them quite plainly in the oven with lemon juice, olive oil and some vegetables.

The octopus was grilled on the gas grill. I didn't have enough energy to make a family cheese pie so that came frozen from the supermarket.

The mutton chops were put back into the fridge until teenage grandson declared he was starving. I really didn't think he would eat gamey mutton chops but they were quickly grilled and he gobbled them down.  Teenage boys are bottomless pits.
 And what did the rest of  the kids eat?   A huge pot of seafood spaghetti. Full of mussels and shrimps. Pita bread and tzatziki filled any empty spaces.

 What did sis in law eat who like me doesn't particularly care for rabbit or okra?  I don't remember having a greek salad on the table but there was plenty of selection.   A little bit of this and a little bit of that.

I took some photos but generally it was after we had already half eaten the food on the plate and for once I took none of us assembled around the table.  I was far too busy still catching up on all the family news and enjoying yet another pink gin and tonic.



Octopus grilled



Okra in a tomato sauce




Baked fish

Cheese pie



A bowl of marinated fried fish in front of the boys
The boys ate mutton chops and tzatziki


Doing his duty and  with a glass of Heineken

After this feast some little elves collected all the plates and emptied the table.  I think I would have just left it all out there till the next morning, if we didn't have wild cats.  It was a very enjoyable evening for me.  More talk than work.  I think my contribution was to bake the frozen cheese pie and pour the gin and tonics.  Someone else even brought out the ice.  Unfortunately the little elves didn't take away tupperware bowls of leftovers so somehow I had to cram those into our fridge.  I'm an expert at cramming leftovers.  There they usually stay till the neighbourhood cats get an early Christmas/Easter and 15th August bowl of goodies.  

A couple of days later most of the leftovers were eaten by some of K's drinking buddies but the cats did get their share.


First night
dining right beside the sea


Drinks on the terrace
Pink gin and octopus, but not together
We were introduced to pink gin by the visitors
The bottle emptied quickly.  I can recommend it!
The men drank heineken and ouzo, thank goodness



Reunion!

Although we do eat and drink far too much when family gathers, whether greek or from the Antipodes, it is a social gathering.

We just hang out, tell tall tales, laugh, gossip and enjoy everyone's company like any family anywhere in the world.  Our parties  are possibly more rustic than most.  The tablecloths are paper, the wine is from a plastic water bottle and the dog vaccums the crumbs from under the table.  The setting may be different from yours, the sun may shine a little stronger here but the celebrations are the same. 








27 comments:

  1. Yes, as Laurie says, a wonderful time and always great hospitality.

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  2. I would far prefer an evening like that than everyone on their best behaviour, and drinking Pétrus from fine glasses. Give me relaxed fun, and good food, any day!

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  3. How wonderful it is to be your family member, my brother is supposed to be on a small yacht with a couple of friends to Poros, I told him to look for the Tavern with the green chairs.

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    1. Oh yes, he will probably moor the yacht right in front of the green chairs. Most of the yachties have their breakfast there or coffee and then beer. I know he will enjoy his stay! Do you know the name of the yacht?

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    2. He hires the yacht in Athens, he is the skipper and with him his wife and another couple of friends sail. Tomorrow I will ask him.

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    3. It is Sunsail's catamaran, the name is Fegary.

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    4. He's not there yet. Will be in two days.

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    5. I'll look out for the yacht.
      The rain has stopped and we have nice weather for the next week

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    6. He is very friendly and like people.

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  4. Sounds perfect to me! Does the pink gin taste different than regular gin? -Jenn

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    1. Pink gin is really fruity. Much nicer than the regular. First time I had heard of it. Yum

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  5. Hooray for casual family gatherings!!!!

    Fussy, fussy events, spoil the fun!

    🍁🍂🍎🍂🍁

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    1. I love casual but a bit of starched table cloth and champagne glasses would be so nice now and again sigh

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  6. Family and food. What could be better? Especially if someone else does the washing up!

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    1. Washing and clearing is always so much darn hassle.

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  7. Thank goodness for the little elves
    I’m glad you got a chance to sit and chat
    Might have to get the family around to finish off the leftovers

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    1. Those little elves are always v hard working but seeing the kids in the kitchen sink once again after a family dinner does spoil some of the enjoyment. It's hard work clearing up these feasts

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  8. Why not use paper plates next time and you won't have any washing up? Sounds like you had a great family gathering.

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    1. We all think that's a marvellous idea. Big boss thinks 'what will people say' so we are not allowed damn it

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  9. I know the rabbit and Okra are not normally on your table but they were very much appreciated. The cheese pie and baked fish were delicious!

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  10. That cheese pie was good, much better than I could make! Glad you enjoyed the fish.

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  11. Hi Linda, I loved the time I spent with you and your family back in 1993. Such fun times, and everyone was so hospitable - even though this Kiwi didn't like seafood! I'd love to get back in touch. Are you at the same address? Just say yes or no, and if yes I'll send you a lovely care parcel from good ol' NZ. If no, I need to figure out a way to write to you.
    Cheers
    Leah

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    1. Leah, how great to hear you!!! Sorry I've taken so long to answer. We have family here for a week .
      Elli is now living in our house and all our mail goes there, so same address.

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